Blackberry is a crop of great economic potential but it has not been exploited commercially in Kenya. Breeding and commercial production of blackberry requires rapid propagation which is not possible through the traditional seed and vegetative techniques. This study aimed at developing an efficient protocol for rapid multiplication of blackberry (Rubus sp). The study comprised of seven separate experiments to establish the best sterilization protocol, explant size, source of explants, callus ...
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an economically and nutritionally important crop in Rwanda. However, its production is threatened by the invasive tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta Meyrick) since 2015. Options for integrated pest management (IPM) for its control under Rwandan conditions have not been developed. The main objective of this study was to contribute to enhanced tomato productivity and fruit quality in Rwanda through evaluation of entomopathogens and plant extracts as options for...
Abstract: Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most predominantly produced bulb crops in East Hararghe. The productivity of onion in the study area was mainly below the national average due to a number of production constraints, including a lack of specific fertilizer recommendations, depletion of soil fertility, improper agronomic practices, a lack of improved onion varieties and a lack to access seed, are generally to blamed for reduced bulb yields. To create management plans that maximize...
Abstract: Garlic is one of the vegetable crops grown in eastern Ethiopia, but the yield of the crop is low, often constrained by several factors of which the major ones are low soil fertility and poor fertilizer management practices applied. Therefore, this research was undertaken to assess the effects of biochar and NPS fertilizer on yield-related traits and yield of garlic and to estimate the cost-benefit of combined application of biochar and blended NPS fertilizer in garlic production. T...
Abstract: Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops in Ethiopia. However, the yield of the crop is low as compared to its potential yield due to low rates application of fertilizers. The use rates of fertilizer are one of the cultural practices that help to increase the productivity of the crop. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of blended NPS and nitrogen fertilizer rates on the yield and quality of head cabba...
Abstract: Orange fruits have a relatively high post-harvest loss because of their inherent biological behavior and postharvest handling practices. High loss of orange in Ethiopia is partly associated with poor postharvest handling techniques. The experiment was carried out to assess the effects of coating materials and plant extracts on the shelf life and quality maintenance of orange fruit. Freshly harvested fruits of mature Valentia orange variety were dipped in different plant extracts an...
Abstract: Potato is an important food and cash crop in Eastern Hararghe Zone. However, the productivity of the crop is low at national as well as district levels; due to various limiting factors such as low soil fertility and lack of improved varieties. Therefore a field experiment was conducted with the objectives of determining the effect of blended (NPSB) fertilizer rates on yield and quality component of potato varieties in Goro-Gutu district under rain fed condition during the 2021 crop...
Abstract: Potato is an important food and export crop in East Hararghe. However, its yield is very low due to several factors among which low soil fertility and poor fertilizer management practice applied by growers are major ones. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of biochar and NPS fertilizer on yield, yield-related traits, and quality of potatoes and to estimate the cost-benefit of combined application of biochar and blended NPS fertilizer for potato produc...
Abstract: Farmers of Hararghe highland practice rain-fed onion cultivation, which is suffering from poor soil fertility caused by undulating topography that is prone to erosion and sub-optimal chemical fertilizers resulted for low yields of crop. Therefore, this research was designed with the objectives of assessing the effects of planting method and integrated nutrient management (VC and RDF) on growth, yield and yield attribute of onion at Oda Bultum University, West Hararghe, Ethiopia dur...
Abstract: Avocado is one of the export fruit commodities in Ethiopia and increasing than other. However, its production is faced with pre-harvest and postharvest factors with higher magnitude of postharvest losses. The loss was estimated to 40%. To minimize the postharvest loss, determining effective pre-storage treatments and a combination of pre-storage treatments with a proper selection of packaging material have potential to extend the storage life and maintained quality of avocado fruit...
Abstract: Shallot is one of the widely produced crops in Ethiopia mainly used as condiment and income sources for the producers. The productivity of the crop, however, is low due to various limiting factors of which the soil fertility and the lack of appropriate plant population are among the production constraints. This study, therefore, was undertaken to evaluate the effects of NPS fertilizer and intra-row plant spacing on bulb yield and yield related traits of Improved Huruta shallot vari...
Abstract: Due to their climacteric nature, high water content, active metabolic activities, and microbial spoilage, tomato fruits are very susceptible to post-harvest deterioration which is the major problem of its production in Ethiopia. Edible coatings and chlorination are used to extend storage life and reduce quality deterioration by altering gas permeability, delaying ripening, reducing water loss and microbial decay of the fruits. The study was therefore aimed to assess the effect of N...
Abstract: Potato is a very important food and cash crop especially in the high and mid altitude areas of Ethiopia. However, its production and productivity are seriously affected by temperature and rainfall variability. Hence, it is important to identify the degree of climate change in specific locality either by determining the perceptions of farmers on the change or analyzing weather variables obtained from meteorological station and projected values through Marksim Weather generator obtai...
Abstract: Shallot (Allium cepa L. var ascalonicum Backer) is one of the alliaceous crops grown in Ethiopia using bulblets due to difficulty in true seed production. Application of gibberellic acid (GA3) is used to partially augment vernalization requirements of biennial crops and induce early flowering. Potassium nutrient is also known to play several physiological and biochemical processes in plants, which can have direct and indirect consequences on crop productivity. Hence, field experime...
Abstract: Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most popular and widely consumed vegetable crops in many parts of the world including Ethiopia. However, it is highly perishable and post-harvest loss is the major problem that discourages production in many developing countries, including Ethiopia. Tomato fruit deteriorates in a short period due to its nature and poor postharvest handlings. Therefore, research was carried out to evaluate the effect of harvesting stages and posth...